Bicycle

ABSTRACT

A bicycle with a frame suspended on the wheels by telescoping shock absorbers that permit large vertical movements of the wheels when they hit bumps without producing large vertical movements of the bicycle frame, so that pedaling can continue uninterrupted in traversing rough terrain.

i United States Patent 1 91 1111 3,865,402 Zenser [4 Feb. 11, 1975 [54] BICYCLE 3,133,748 5/1964 I Gunnerson 280/284 3,301,575 1/1967 Ryan et a1 280/275 [751 lnvenwr- El Monte 3,459,441 8/1969 Hornsby 280/276 [73] Assigneez Yamaha Intel-nation Corporation 3,606,383 9/197] Mesmger 280/283 Buena Park, Calif. 1 Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, Jr. [22] filed 1973 Assistant Examiner.10hrl J. Love [2]] App]. No.: 387,669 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lindenberg, Freilich,

Wasserman, Rosen & Fernandez [52] US. Cl 280/276, 280/284, 280/286 [51] Int. Cl....; 362m 3/00 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Fleld of Search 280/283, 286, 276, 275, A bicycle with a frame Suspended on the wheels by telescoping shock absorbers that permit large vert1cal [56] 1. References Cited movements of the wheels when they hit bumps without producing large vertical movements of the blcycle UNITED STATES PATENTS frame, so that pedaling can continue uninterrupted in 578,614 3/1897 Travis 280/284 traversing rough terrain, 1,298,958 4/1919 Johnston 280/284 2,543,991 3/195] Schuricht 280/276 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 92 r 52 H4 42 50 no 98 32 24 I ATENIEU 3.865.402

sum 2 OF 3 PATENTEU 1 I975 3, 865.402

- SHEET 30? 3 BICYCLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to bicycles that are propelled by foot pedals.

A sport which has become increasing popular is the racing of bicycles over rough terrain. It is often difficult to constantly pedal a bicycle as it is moving over very rough terrain because the large and irregular vertical movements of the bicycle frame tend to upset the balance of the rider and distract him from the application of pressure alternately to the pedals. Also, the large shocks transmitted to the frame tire the rider and lead to damage to the frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle is provided which has a frame suspended on the front and rear wheels in a manner that enables the absorption of large shocks by the wheels to minimize disruption of pedaling when traversing a rough terrain. The bicycle includes a swing arm with a forward end pivotally mounted on the frame, immediately behind the pedal shaft, and having a rear end which rotatably supports the rear wheel of the bicycle. The frame includes a pair of structural members extending over the rear wheel. A pair of telescoping shock absorbers connect each of the structural members to the rear end of the swing arm to permit large vertical movements of the rear end of the frame.

The front end of the frame is connected by a pair of telescoping shock absorbers to the front wheel. Two fender members lie over the front wheel. A lower one of the fender members closely surrounds the rim of the front wheel and connects together the lower tubes of the shock absorbers. The upper fender member lies high over the front wheel and is supported on the upper tubes of the shock absorbers. Accordingly, the upper fender member moves toward and away from the lower fender member when the rear wheel moves over a bump.

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will best be understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawmgs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective front and side view of a bicycle constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the bicycle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side, rear, and upper perspective view of the bicycle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the bicycle of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 2; and FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a conversion kit containing parts of the bicycle of FIG. 1, for use in converting an ordinary bicycle to a bicycle having many features of the bicycle of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a bicycle 10 of the invention which includes front and rear wheels 12, 14, and a frame 16 which supports a seat assembly 18 that holds a rider R and a peddle assembly 20 which is utilized by the rider to drive the bicycle. Front and rear shock absorber assemblies 22, 24 support the frame on the wheels. The frame includes a tubular front member 26 for receiving the shaft 28 of a handlebar assembly 30, and a tubular rear member 32 for receiving a shaft 34 of the seat assembly 18. The front and rear members 26, 32 extend in a primarily vertical direction, and at an upwardrearward incline. An upper frame member 36 joins the tops of the vertical members 26, 32, while a bottom member 38 joins the lower ends of the vertical members 26, 32. The frame also includes a pair of elongated shockmount members 40, 42 which are supported near the top of the lower frame member 38 and rear vertical member 32. The shock-mount members extend behind the rear member 32 and are joined together at their rearward ends 44. The members 40, 42 serve to connect the rear shock absorber assembly 24 to the rear wheel 14.

Referring also to the other figures, it can be seen that the rear shock absorber assembly 24 includes two telescoping shock absorbers 50, 52, on opposite sides of the rear wheel, each having an upper tube 54, a lower bar or tube 56 which telescopes into the upper tube, and a compression spring 58 surrounding the tubes. The upper end of each upper tube 54 is pivotally joined to a bracket 60 which is mounted on one of the mount members 40 or 42, while the lower end of each lower tube 56 is coupled to the axle 62 of the rear wheel. The axle of the rear wheel is also connected to the frame through a swing arm 64. The swing arm 64 has a forward end 66 which is pivotally mounted on the frame 16 and has a rearward end 68 which is fastened to the rear axle 62. In the illustrated bicycle, the rear axle 62 is held in a slot at the rear of the swing arm 68, and the lower tube 56 of each shock absorber is attached to the rear end of the swing arm. The swing arm is bifurcated to provide a portion on each side of the rear wheel which is attached to the rear wheel and to a corresponding rear shock absorber.

The bicycle frame is provided with a multiple con-' nection member 70 at the intersection of the rear and lower frame members 32, 38. The connection member 70 is welded or otherwise joined to the frame members 32, 38 to connect them. The member 70 also is formed with two bearing holes 72 and 74, the bearing hole 72 rotatably supporting the shaft of the pedal assembly 20, and the bearing hole 74 pivotally supporting the front end of the swing arm 64. The bicycle includes a transmission with a forward sprocket wheel 76 fixed to the pedal shaft, another sprocket wheel 78 at the rear wheel, and a chain 80 extending between them. The positioning of the pedal shaft 72 and swing arm shaft 74 close together results in maintenance of constant chain tension even as the rear wheel moves a considerable distance up and down. A minimum of binding of the upper and lower tubes 54, 56 of each rear shock absorber is assured by locating the attached point 60a at the upper bracket 60 a distance D from the forward swing arm bearing 74 which is approximately equal to the distance between the bearing 74 and the point 82 where the lower end of the rear shock absorber mounts on a swing arm. It may be noted that the bracket 60 is normally located behind the vertical frame member 32.

The forward shock absorber assembly 22 includes a pair of steering brackets 90, 92, which respectively lie at the top and bottom of the forward frame member 26,

and which are both fixed to the steering shaft 28. The shock absorber assembly also includes two forward shock absorbers 94, 96, each having an upper tube 98, a lower tube 100 that slidingly receives the upper tube, and a spring (not shown) within the lower tube for urging the upper tube in an upward direction. The upper tube 98 is attached to both steering brackets 90, 92 so that the upper tube extends in a fixed direction from the frame, this being a downward and forward direction. The lower tube 100 has a lower end which supports the forward axle 102 on which the front wheel rotates.

The front end of the bicycle is provided with two fender members 110, 112. The upper fender member 110 is mounted by rods 114 on the lower steering bracket 92. The lower fender member 1 12 is mounted on the lower arms 100 of the two shock absorbers 94, 96. The upper fender member 110 can serve to prevent clothing items and the like from contacting the front wheel 12 and to prevent dirt from being thrown up from the tire. The upper member 110 moves towards and away from the lower fender member 112 when the front wheel hits a bump and moves up and down with respect to the frame. The distance between the upper and lower fender members 1 10, 112 is normally at least a few (3) inches, and greater than the widest tire 12: that can be received between the lower shock absorber tubes under the lower fender member. The lower fender member 112 can prevent the upper member 110 from bottoming on the front wheel 12 when the front wheel hits a severe bump. The lower member 112 also serves to tie the lower shock absorber tubes 100 together. The member 112 closely surrounds the tire 122 of the front wheel so that the member does not occupy a considerable height above the front wheel where it could interfere with vertical movements of the upper fender member.

The handlebar assembly 30 includes a tube forming a pair of handlebars 120 joined together by a handlebar brace 122. The handlebars are attached to the steering shaft 28 by a handlebar bracket 124. The bracket 124 has two widely spaced clamps 126 for holding the handlebars in place, to provide maximum stability. The seat assembly 18 includes an elongated seat 130 which is designed to hold a single rider, but to hold him comfortably. The seat is attached near its forward end to the upper end of the seat shaft 34, and is also braced by a bracing bar 132 which extends from the rear portion of the seat to the seat shaft 34.

The bicycle is designed to isolate the frame and rider from shocks that may be encountered in moving over large bumps. The bicycle can be utilized in ordinary street riding, but is especially useful in traversing rough terrain, as in the racing of bicycles on off-the-road paths which are uneven. The high degree of isolation of the rider from bumps in the road aids considerably in the pedaling of the bicycle, because the rider does not have to contend with constantly re-balancing himself while also trying to pedal. The suspension system is especially useful in a typical bicycle wherein the rider normally weighs more than the bicycle, the bicycle typically weighing less than 100 pounds. The middle of the seat 130 where the pedaling rider sits, lies over the rear wheel, so that there is a very high traction at the rear wheel, and therefore there is minimum slippage of the wheel on the ground when rapidly accelerating on a poor road. This type of weight distribution, with most of the weight over one wheel, could lead to a very hard ride for the rider. However, the telescoping suspension system, which permits the absorption of very large bumps, greatly reduces the severity of the ride so that good control and a good pedaling action can be continued when traversing a very rough terrain.

FIG. 6 illustrates components which form a conversion kit to convert the front portion of an ordinary bicycle, so that the front portion will be similar to that of the bicycle of FIG. 1. The conversion kit includes a handlebar assembly 30 including handlebars and a handlebar bracket 124 and also including a steering shaft 28. A shock absorber assembly 22 is also included, as well as a pair of steering brackets 90, 92. A child can convert the front end of a typical prior art bicycle by removing the steering shaft and handlebars as well as the frame portion that connects it to the front wheels, and replacing them by the apparatus of FIG. 6. The conversion not only greatly alters the appearance of the bicycle, but also greatly reduces shock at the front end thereof. This is useful for bicycles which are often ridden in a wheely type of maneuver wherein the front wheels are held off the ground while riding, and where the front wheels are then slammed down hard on the ground, the shock absorbing assembly serving to greatly cushion the shock of the front wheels falling back to the ground.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art and consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.

What is claimed is:

l. A bicycle comprising:

a frame having a tubular primarily vertical front member for receiving a handlebar shaft, a tubular primarily vertical rear member for receiving a seat shaft, an elongated lower member for coupling the front member to the bottom of the rear member, a multiple connection member at the intersection of the lower and rear members, and a pair of elongated shock mount members joined to the vertical rear member and extending rearwardly therefrom;

a pair of wheels with tires along their rims, including a front wheel at the front of the frame and a rear wheel at the rear of the frame;

a pedal assembly rotatably mounted on the multiple connection member;

a swing arm having a front end pivotally mounted on the multiple connection member and having a bifurcated rear end with arms on either side of the rear wheel and coupled to the rear wheel;

a pair of rear shock absorbers, each including two telescoping tubes and a spring urging the tubes apart, one tube of each shock absorber having an upper end mounted on a mount member and the other tube having a lower end coupled to the swing arm;

the distance between the pivot axis at the front of the swing arm and the upper end of the rear shock absorbers being equal to the distance between said front swing arm pivot axis and the lower end of the rear shock absorbers;

a handlebar assembly having a shaft extending into the tubular front member to pivot thereon;

upper and lower shock absorber brackets, the upper bracket lying at the top of the tubular front member and the lower bracket lying at the bottom of the tubular front member,'each bracket being fixed to the handlebar assembly to pivot therewith;

a pair of forward shock absorbers, each including two telescoping tubes and a spring urging the tubes apart, one tube of each front shock absorber having an upper end fixed to the two shock absorber brackets to fix the position and orientation of the tube, and the other of each front shock aobsorber coupled to the front wheel; and

a pair of front fender members, including a short lower fender member extending in a loop closely around the tire of the front wheel and fixed to the lower tubes of the front shock absorber, and an upper fender member normally lying at least a few inches above the lower fender member and fixed with respect to the upper tubes, so that the upper fender member moves toward and away from the lower fender member when the front wheel passes over a bump in the road.

2. An assembly for a bicycle that includes front and rear wheels, and that also includes a frame with a front tubular part that extends downwardly and forwardly towards the front wheel to form a steering shaft bearing, comprising:

upper and lower brackets for mounting respectively above and below the front tubular part of the frame;

a pair of telescoping shock absorbers each having upper and lower shock members that telescope into one another, each upper shock member attached to both the upper and lower brackets;

11 lower fender member connecting together the upper ends of the lower shock members;

an upper fender located between the lower bracket and the lower fender member, and coupled to the lower bracket to move up and down with it, the upper fender located above the top of the lower fender member by a distance greater than the widest tire that can be received between the lower shock members under the lower fender member; and

means at the lower ends of the lower shock members for mounting the lower shock members on the front wheel of the bicycle.

3. A bicycle comprising:

front and rear wheels having axles;

a frame having forward and rearward ends, the forward end having a pair of front mount locations above the level of the front wheel axle and the rearward end having a pair of rear mount locations above the level of the rear wheel axle, the frame having a multiple connection member located between the wheels and forming a pedal bearing and a swing arm bearing, and the frame including a tubular rear frame member extending upwardly and rearwardly from the connection member and a lower frame member extending forwardly and upwardly from the connection member, said connection member connecting said rear and lower frame members;

a seat mounted on the frame for holding a rider, said seat including a shaft adjustably mounted in said tubular rear member and including a seat at the p;

a pedal assembly rotatably mounted on the pedal bearing, for rotational driving by the rider;

chain means coupling the pedal assembly to the rear wheel;

a swing arm having a forward end rotatably mounted on the swing arm bearing and a rearward end rotatably connected to the rear wheel;

a pair of telescoping rear shock absorbers connecting the rear mount locations of the frame to the rearward end of the swing arm; and

a pair of telescoping front shock absorbers having upper portions connected to the front mount location of the frame and having lower portions rotatably coupled to the front wheel;

the frame including a front member (26) coupled to the front end of the lower frame member and also including a pair of elongated shock-mount members (40, 42) extending rearwardly from a location near the front of the lower frame member, said mount members extending on opposite sides of the rear frame member and joined thereto and said mount members extending behind the rear frame member, each of said rear shock absorbers joined to a different one of the mount members.

4. A bicycle comprising:

front and rear wheels;

a frame coupled to said front and rear wheels, said frame having a front tubular part that extends downwardly and forwardly towards the front wheel to form a steering shaft bearing;

upper and lower brackets mounted respectively above and below said front tubular part of the frame;

a pair of telescoping shock absorbers each having upper and lower shock members that telescope into one another, each upper shock member attached to said upper and lower brackets;

a lower member connecting together the upper ends of the lower shock members;

an upper fender located between the lower bracket and the lower member, and coupled to the lower bracket to move up and down with it, the upper fender located above the top of the lower member by a distance greater than the widest tire that can be received between the lower shock members under the lower member; and

means at the lower ends of the lower shock members for mounting the lower shock members on the front wheel of the bicycle. 

1. A bicycle comprising: a frame having a tubular primarily vertical front member for receiving a handlebar shaft, a tubular primarily vertical rear member for receiving a seat shaft, an elongated lower member for coupling the front member to the bottom of the rear member, a multiple connection member at the intersection of the lower and rear members, and a pair of elongated shock mount members joined to the vertical rear member and extending rearwardly therefrom; a pair of wheels with tires along their rims, including a front wheel at the front of the frame and a rear wheel at the rear of the frame; a pedal assembly rotatably mounted on the multiple connection member; a swing arm having a front end pivotally mounted on the multiple connection member and having a bifurcated rear end with arms on either side of the rear wheel and coupled to the rear wheel; a pair of rear shock absorbers, each including two telescoping tubes and a spring urging the tubes apart, one tube of each shock absorber having an upper end mounted on a mount member and the other tube having a lower end coupled to the swing arm; the distance between the pivot axis at the front of the swing arm and the upper end of the rear shock absorbers being equal to the distance between said front swing arm pivot axis and the lower end of the rear shock absorbers; a handlebar assembly having a shaft extending into the tubular front member to pivot thereon; upper and lower shock absorber brackets, the upper bracket lying at the top of the tubular front member and the lower bracket lying at the bottom of the tubular front member, each bracket being fixed to the handlebar assembly to pivot therewith; a pair of forward shock absorbers, each including two telescoping tubes and a spring urging the tubes apart, one tube of each front shock absorber having an upper end fixed to the two shock absorber brackets to fix the position and orientation of the tube, and the other of each front shock aobsorber coupled to the front wheel; and a pair of front fender members, including a short lower fender member extending in a loop closely around the tire of the front wheel and fixed to the lower tubes of the front shock absorber, and an upper fender member normally lying at least a few inches above the lower fender member and fixed with respect to the upper tubes, so that the upper fender member moves toward and away from the lower fender member when the front wheel passes over a bump in the road.
 2. An assembly for a bicycle that includes front and rear wheels, and that also includes a frame with a front tubular part that extends downwardly and forwardly towards the front wheel to form a steering shaft bearing, comprising: upper and lower brackets for mounting respectively above and below the front tubular part of the frame; a pair of telescoping shock absorbers each having upper and lower shock members that telescope into one another, each upper shock member attached to both the upper and lower brackets; a lower fender member connecting together the upper ends of the lower shock members; an upper fender located between the lower bracket and the lower fender member, and coupled to the lower bracket to move up and down with it, the upper fender located above the top of the lower fender member by a disTance greater than the widest tire that can be received between the lower shock members under the lower fender member; and means at the lower ends of the lower shock members for mounting the lower shock members on the front wheel of the bicycle.
 3. A bicycle comprising: front and rear wheels having axles; a frame having forward and rearward ends, the forward end having a pair of front mount locations above the level of the front wheel axle and the rearward end having a pair of rear mount locations above the level of the rear wheel axle, the frame having a multiple connection member located between the wheels and forming a pedal bearing and a swing arm bearing, and the frame including a tubular rear frame member extending upwardly and rearwardly from the connection member and a lower frame member extending forwardly and upwardly from the connection member, said connection member connecting said rear and lower frame members; a seat mounted on the frame for holding a rider, said seat including a shaft adjustably mounted in said tubular rear member and including a seat at the top; a pedal assembly rotatably mounted on the pedal bearing, for rotational driving by the rider; chain means coupling the pedal assembly to the rear wheel; a swing arm having a forward end rotatably mounted on the swing arm bearing and a rearward end rotatably connected to the rear wheel; a pair of telescoping rear shock absorbers connecting the rear mount locations of the frame to the rearward end of the swing arm; and a pair of telescoping front shock absorbers having upper portions connected to the front mount location of the frame and having lower portions rotatably coupled to the front wheel; the frame including a front member (26) coupled to the front end of the lower frame member and also including a pair of elongated shock-mount members (40, 42) extending rearwardly from a location near the front of the lower frame member, said mount members extending on opposite sides of the rear frame member and joined thereto and said mount members extending behind the rear frame member, each of said rear shock absorbers joined to a different one of the mount members.
 4. A bicycle comprising: front and rear wheels; a frame coupled to said front and rear wheels, said frame having a front tubular part that extends downwardly and forwardly towards the front wheel to form a steering shaft bearing; upper and lower brackets mounted respectively above and below said front tubular part of the frame; a pair of telescoping shock absorbers each having upper and lower shock members that telescope into one another, each upper shock member attached to said upper and lower brackets; a lower member connecting together the upper ends of the lower shock members; an upper fender located between the lower bracket and the lower member, and coupled to the lower bracket to move up and down with it, the upper fender located above the top of the lower member by a distance greater than the widest tire that can be received between the lower shock members under the lower member; and means at the lower ends of the lower shock members for mounting the lower shock members on the front wheel of the bicycle. 